MLS boss to other Ohio cities: Root for Crew

Enlarge ImageThe Crew unveiled its new home jersey during an event at Crew Stadium yesterday.

Commissioner Don Garber has a message for Ohioans looking for more Major League Soccer teams in
the state: Support the team you already have.

In an hour-long question-and-answer session yesterday to mark the start of the season, Garber
was asked about possible expansion to more than a half-dozen cities or areas around the country
specifically mentioned by fan suggestions on Twitter. Included on the list was Cleveland, which
prompted Garber to stump for the Crew.

“What I would say to folks living in Cincinnati, the folks living in Dayton, the folks living in
Cleveland: Support the Crew,” Garber said. “They have a new owner in Anthony Precourt, (and there
is) a fabulous, fabulous, dynamic that exists in that market. I would describe it as a rebirth, a
newfound level of interest.”

He didn’t stop there.

“Gregg Berhalter is a super cool guy who’s got a lot of experience,” Garber said of the team’s
new coach and sporting director. “We think he’s going to represent this new team dynamic. If you’re
living in Ohio, support the Crew. Great legacy MLS team.”

Garber said the league had discussions “many years ago” about a possible team in Cleveland, but
there haven’t been any talks of late. With an eye on expanding to 24 teams by 2020, the league has
been talking more extensively about Austin, Texas, San Antonio and Atlanta, Garber said.

Game week

Yesterday marked the Crew’s first day of team workouts since returning Sunday from the Disney
Pro Soccer Classic. Owing to the weather conditions, the team went through a workout session but
did not do any ball work or on-field training at the indoor facility at SuperKick in Lewis
Center.

The move from preseason preparation to game-week work means a less strenuous workload, Berhalter
said. It also means decisions are close on a team captain, the starting lineup and the final
roster. Those decisions will be made later in the week.

“I want them to be comfortable in their preparation, and I think that the earlier they know if
they’re playing or not, the better they can prepare,” Berhalter said. “Having said that, I feel
that guys who aren’t playing need to prepare (as if they are) because you never know what happens
in a game.”

Defenders Waylon Francis and Giancarlo Gonzalez are with the Costa Rican national team but will
rejoin the Crew in Columbus before the team leaves for the opener at D.C. United on Saturday. Both
are expected to be in the starting lineup.

Midfielder Daniel Paladini (knee) and forward Aaron Schoenfeld (ankle) are due to meet with team
doctors today, but Berhalter said both are recovering well. Paladini has missed most of the
preseason.

“Daniel came out of the week able to do more and is going to get an evaluation (today) from the
doctor, and we’re looking positive on him,” Berhalter said. “Aaron, same thing.”

Also this week, Berhalter said the Crew will decide which players will be loaned to Dayton, its
affiliate in the United Soccer Leagues Pro division. The Crew is expected to send the minimum of
four players, who likely will remain there for the season.